British tennis icon Andy Murray has opened up about a deeply awkward moment from his brief tenure coaching his former on-court rival, Novak Djokovic. The surprising partnership, which captivated the tennis world, lasted just six months.
The Painful First Day
Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, Murray recounted the cringe-worthy incident that occurred on his very first day in the job in November 2024. After a tennis session, Djokovic's physical trainer invited Murray to join the Serbian star for a long, slow run in the park.
"I was like 'oh my god'," Murray admitted. Having retired only three months prior, he confessed he was not in peak shape and hadn't run properly since he was 25. Feeling he couldn't refuse on his first day, he agreed.
The run was scheduled to last for 50 minutes at a gentle pace. However, disaster struck almost immediately. "After about four or five minutes my left calf cramped," Murray said. Determined not to show weakness in front of his long-time competitor, he pushed through the agony.
"I felt like I couldn't stop... I didn't want to show to him this is someone I've been competing against for such a long time and after five minutes he's struggling," he explained. Murray completed the entire run, but described the experience as "pretty embarrassing."
Reflecting on the Coaching Spell
The coaching collaboration, which began in November 2024, ended in May 2025. During their time together, Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open but faced challenges at subsequent tournaments.
Murray expressed some disappointment with the outcomes. "I look back on it and I'm glad I did it," he stated. "It's an amazing experience that I've had... I was disappointed. Probably didn't get the results I would have liked for him."
Despite the short duration, Murray has no regrets about accepting the role, viewing it as a valuable learning opportunity for a potential future in coaching.
A Unique Chapter in Tennis Rivalry
The partnership between two of the sport's modern giants was a historic and unexpected move. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, transitioned from fierce competitor to trusted advisor almost overnight.
While the stint was brief, it provided a fascinating postscript to one of tennis's great rivalries. Murray's candid revelation about the punishing run offers a humorous and humanising glimpse behind the scenes of elite sport, highlighting the intense physical demands even for those off the tour.
